Society News

New Delhi, April 30 (ANI): Delhi High Court on Wednesday adjourned any further hearing in alleged illegal land deals of Congress chief Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law, Robert Vadra, till May 13, after completion of general elections, citing that any judgment might influence the voters. The order came after the petitioner, ML Sharma, who filed the public interest litigation (PIL) seeking investigation by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the various land deals made by Vadra, himself requested the court to adjourn the proceedings. Sharma said in the court that any judgment by court would tilt voters either towards Bharatiya Janata Party or towards Congress.Apr 30, 2014

Lucknow/ Hyderabad/ Amritsar/ Ludhiana, April 30 (ANI): Leaders in key battlegrounds of mammoth general election exercised their franchise on Wednesday in the crucial seventh phase as India is close to choosing its next Prime Minister. Chief of the Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (SGMC) Avtar Singh Makkar and supporter of the BJP cast his vote in Ludhiana. A total of 89 constituencies in seven states and two Union Territories went to polls in the seventh phase of general election. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh governor BL Joshi cast his secret ballot in Lucknow amid heavy security.Apr 30, 2014

New Delhi, April 30 (ANI): After a long wait, India's long marginalised transgender community has finally been identified as the "third" gender or the "other category" but transgenders say mere recognition is not enough and a lot more needs to be done to improve their lot in the society. After years of neglect and living life as social outcasts, transgenders were given the status of the third gender by the Supreme Court and even Election Commission included them in the "other" category in voter identity cards, something that did not exist until the last elections in 2009. Activists lauded the landmark judgement but stressed on being treated on par with men and women and sought total inclusion for having a say in decision making.Apr 30, 2014

Dehradun, April 30 (ANI): Trade Minister Anand Sharma dubbed BJP's PM candidate Narendra Modi as 'bragger' while accusing him of making fake claims. While speaking to reporters on Wednesday in Dehradun, Sharma said that Modi was a liar. Meanwhile, referring to Yoga Guru Ramdev, Sharma said that he was BJP's very own fake clergy. Elections in India's sprawling democracy are spread over five weeks in nine separate phases which will end on May 12. Results would be announced on May 16.Apr 30, 2014

New Delhi/ Ahmedabad, April 30 (ANI): Political leaders created a storm after BJP's PM candidate Narendra Modi clicked a controversial selfie flashing party symbol after casting his ballot in Ahmedabad. Modi, who is contesting from Vadodara in Gujarat, cast his vote on Wednesday in a crucial stage of the seventh phase of mammoth democratic exercise in which political heavy weight such as ruling Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi is in the fray. Taking a dig at him NCP leader Tariq Anwar said that Modi had already assumed himself as Prime Minister of India. Post voting, Modi clicked a selfie of his inked finger along with party's election symbol lotus - triggering political slugfest with political leaders alleging that Modi breached EC's Model Code of Conduct.Apr 30, 2014

Visakhapatnam, April 30 (ANI): Indian Navy Chief Admiral Robin K Dhowan on Wednesday said that the recent chain of catastrophic accidents had affected the image of the Indian Navy in Vishakhapatnam city of Andhra Pradesh. Admiral Dhowan after resuming the post of India's Navy Chief made his first visit to the Eastern Naval Command on Wednesday in Vishakhapatnam. He was seen reviewing a ceremonial Parade and addressed the personnel as well.Apr 30, 2014

Srinagar, April 30 (ANI): First-time voters lined up outside polling booths in Srinagar on Wednesday to cast their ballot in a crucial stage of general election. People in Srinagar came out in large numbers to cast their ballot for development and progress, despite shutdown called by separatists. Security forces were nevertheless keeping a close vigil to protect the voters. First time voter Shahid Amir said that he wanted to change the government there. Meanwhile, another voter, Shakeel Ahmed, ruled out any possibility of boycotting the elections. Voting in the world's most populous democracy is phased over several weeks, ending on May 12. Results are due to be announced on May 16.Apr 30, 2014

New Delhi, April 30 (ANI): Political parties welcomed Election Commission's move wherein the Commission asked the Gujarat police to file an FIR against BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on Wednesday. Congress leader Manish Tewari said that its incumbent for the EC to take such an action. AAP leader Prashant Bhushan also welcomed the move and said that it is not for the first time that BJP has done something like this. He said that BJP do not care about the poll panel and that he should be banned from future election campaign. Modi had delivered a political speech holding his party sign after casting his vote in Ahmedabad.Apr 30, 2014

Polls opened Wednesday in Iraq's first parliamentary election since US troops withdrew, with Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki seeking a third term in power amid the country's worst violence in years. Duration: 01:06Apr 30, 2014

Samastipur, April 30 (ANI): BJP’s PM candidate Narendra Modi on Wednesday tried to woo voters in Bihar’s Samastipur. Modi referred to the blasts in Patna on 27 October when he was in the state and said that only God saved him in the incident where many political servants lost their lives. He then took a dig at RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and said that RJD has an alliance with Congress in Bihar but it is not publicized because Congress is scared that if Lalu’s relations with Congress are revealed Congress will be removed from the entire nation.Apr 30, 2014

Samastipur, April 30 (ANI): BJP’s PM candidate Narendra Modi on Wednesday tried to woo voters during a rally in Bihar’s Samastipur. He stated that he is not a CM or PM candidate for people, he is their. Modi further praised Bihar for the gift of knowledge bestowed upon the state. Relating Goddess Laxmi’s seat to his party symbol, Modi appealed the people for giving maximum votes to his party.Apr 30, 2014

Mumbai, April 30 (ANI): Congress leader Manish Tewari on Wednesday tendered an unconditional apology to BJP leader Nitin Gadkari. Tewari had in November 2010 accused Gadkari of holding a 'benami' flat in the Adarsh housing society. Gadkari dragged Tewari to court in December that year, accusing him of defamation. On March 7 this year, the court had taken cognizance of the complaint against Tewari and on April 7, he was asked to pay a bond of Rs. 10,000 to Gadkari.Apr 30, 2014